Nature does not hurry yet everything is accomplished - Lao Tzu

I made a small tribute to our devoted friends who wait for us to come home:

and another small tribute to all the wonderful song birds who fill the air with beauty:

That the stars are adamant

everyone understands—

but I won’t give up seeking joy on each blue wave

or peace below every gray stone.

If happiness never comes, what is a life?

A lily withers in the sand

and if its nature has failed? The tide

washes the beach at night.

What is the fly looking for on the spider’s web?

What does a dayfly make of its hours?

- Edith Sondergran

Adults are always asking little kids what they want to be when they grow up because they are looking for ideas - Paula Poundstone

I was reminded today of how important play is to the creative process.  I was attempting to quickly water my garden while my helper, Raven, was attempting to steal the hose away from me.  This developed into a silly and yet very fun water game.  When I came inside, soaking wet, dripping my way into my studio I noticed a painting which I had placed on my easel that wasn't working.  The problem with its composition was immediately clear. 

I encourage you to Play Today!

The sunlight speaks. And it's voice is a bird - Harry Kemp

I have been inspired by hummingbirds lately.  This is painted on an emu egg:

These hummingbirds found their way onto an art quilt:

The Hummingbird

by Harry Kemp

The sunlight speaks. And it's voice is a bird:

It glitters half-guessed half seen half-heard

Above the flower bed. Over the lawn ...

A flashing dip and it is gone.

And all it lends to the eye is this --

A sunbeam giving the air a kiss.

Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul - Emily Dickinson

This is an art quilt I am completing featuring a Belted kingfisher pair.  There are a number of Belted Kingfishers close to where I live and their feathers are cobalt blue with flecks of teal green.

The current state of my studio!:

Hope is the thing with feathers 
That perches in the soul, 
And sings the tune without the words, 
And never stops at all,
- Emily Dickinson

‘Til we’re burnt by love - like a Moth and Flame?' Ella Veyes

Do you remember the beautiful silk moth in "The Fellowship of the Ring" that carries messages between Gandalf and Gwaihir?   The name of that moth is Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus) and it is a North American member of the giant silk moths.
I have been watching a cocoon of the polyphemus moth that is on our house and today it emerged:

This is an image from Wickipedia:

Another beautiful moth that appears is a Tiger moth, apantesis:

What amazing colors and patterns, what a mystery, moths and butterflies.

The Presence of Trees

I am moved by and very grateful to trees.  They oxygenate our planet, often provide food, and definitely inspire contemplation.
I have been making tree prayer flags, each stitch in the flag holds a prayer for the blessing, health, and increase of all trees on our planet:

The Presence of Trees

by Michael S. Glaser

I have always felt the living presence
of trees
the forest that calls to me as deeply
as I breathe,
as though the woods were marrow of my bone
as though
I myself were tree, a breathing, reaching
arc of the larger canopy
beside a brook bubbling to foam
like the one
deep in these woods,
that calls
that whispers home

Those Who Dwell Among the Beauties and Mysteries of the Earth Are Never Alone or Weary of Life - Rachel Carson

This is an art quilt I just finished.  It was inspired by a Saw Whet Owl.  These are very small owls (about the size of an American robin) who come out at dusk to hunt where I live.  They are frequently on the ground along side of the road waiting for mice to come out.  Driving home one evening recently, I came upon one of these amazing little beings waiting in the middle of the road.  I pulled over to encourage this owl to leave the middle of the road but s/he was so intent on hunting that I got right up to it before it flew off.  I am grateful for the encounter.

One of the things I have learned over the years is to pick my teachers, to the best of my ability, from my experience of what I feel their art 'transmits'.  I look for teachers who transmit, love, joy, depthfulness and heart.  The teacher I have learned about sewing, quilting and cloth from (and am still taking classes with her) is Jude Hill .  If you are interested in learning about working with cloth from a Master I highly recommend taking one or more of her classes.

My Studio Helper

Today I have been working on an art quilt with my ever present studio helper, Raven.

Here is Raven:

Here is what a spool of my favorite thread looks like:

Here is what my favorite spools of thread look like after receiving Raven's help:

Even so, I cannot imagine being in my studio with out her!

In the Light of Love We are Home

I don't know who originally said, "In the Light of Love We are Home", but I was very moved by those words.   I created this mixed media piece out of my response.  I really do find my home to be where I love, and since I could truly love anywhere, my home could thus be anywhere.  However I am not that loving...yet!